APPLICATIONS FOR TRAVEL TO JAPAN
ARE NOW OPEN !!!!!
Please follow the information links below
and above and also use the "Contact"
thread to find out more information ......
Sutherland Shire Sister City committees are searching for new members to help with support and organisation of the Shire's 2 Sister City programs: the Sutherland Shire - Lakewood (Denver) student program and the Sutherland Shire - Chuo(Tokyo) student program. Both groups are totally non-profit community volunteer groups. We are not part of Sutherland Council although they assist us and provide support. Most members assist with just one of the programs, however you are welcome to help with both if you would be interested. Your help could range from providing fresh ideas and advice to being one of the "hands on deck" to actively organise the student program. You can get more information about Sutherland Shire's Sister Cities at www.sutherlandshire-japanstudentprogram and / or www.suthlak.com. You can email sutherland.chuo@gmail.com regarding the Japan program or suthlakgroup@gmail.com re the Denver program. Please come along and see what the Sister Cities programs are all about.
DO YOU HOLD AN INFORMATION NIGHT? We do not hold a mass Information Night ... we prefer to talk to you directly and personally rather than at a more impersonal Information session. We encourage you to call to chat about the program and we can take time to answer your particular questions and concerns. If still needed we can organise to meet at a time convenient to you .........Telephone numbers for the organisers can be found HERE
STUDENT 2003: This is an amazing experience! Definitely do it if you get a chance!
STUDENT 2007: I was looked after and had an amazing time and still remember every part of it, if anyone is thinking of participating in the program you should definitely do it!
HOST FAMILY 2011: The joy and elation we get from hosting Japanese students is priceless
STUDENT 2017: My favourite part of the whole trip was the homestay. I loved living with my host family and joining them in their everyday lives. We are still in contact and my host sister (from Japan) even came to stay with us on the program. It was amazing. Attending school with her was a fantastic experience, I felt so welcome and accepted. The whole school experience was amazing .......
HOST FAMILY 2018: We are so going to miss our gorgeous * and * ... we’ve had a blast!!
JESSICA 2003: This is my host sister Keiko and me - Christmas in Australia 2017, 14 years after we met through the Chuo exchange program
HOST FAMILY 2018: For us, the greatest experience was the bond we had with Yuki & Chi. They really did become part of our family and the tears when they left showed the close attachment in such a very short space of time. Despite language barriers as our girls really spoke very little to no English, we got by and had a ball. Seeing them really integrate into our lives and accept it so openly was unbelievably impressive. There was nothing they didn’t try or participate in. They truly were an absolute pleasure to host and we feel incredibly grateful to you for allowing us the opportunity to become a part of their lives and help us create beautiful memories for both them and us. T........ to this day still communicates almost weekly with her Japanese sisters.
STUDENT 2018: Taking part in the Sutherland to Chuo City exchange program was an amazing and unforgettable experience. I made new friends from the Sutherland Shire and from multiple regions in Japan! We became part of the families that we stayed with and were graciously welcomed with open arms and learned what it meant to live in Japan as well as to be part of the Japanese culture. While exploring the bustling streets of Tokyo, the exhilarating rides at Disneyland and harvesting rice on a farm, we made memories we will never forget and friends we will forever try to stay in contact with.
HOST FAMILY 2018: It was our privilege to be able to host our daughters’ host sister from her previous exchange to Japan. We are so grateful that we were given the opportunity to become involved as we were able to host two of the most beautiful girls and welcome them into our family. We wanted to create wonderful memories for them and we did everything from walking across the Harbour Bridge, visiting Taronga Zoo to catching a Ferry across the harbour, but they had just as much fun going to afternoon sport, chasing the ducks at Audley Weir and having a pizza and video night with all of my daughters friends that they had met at school. Shopping at Miranda was also a big hit! We learnt just as much about the girls and their lives in Japan as they did about us. They felt right at home very quickly and enjoyed everything we did as a family. They especially enjoyed trying our food and their packed lunches for school! It was very hard for all of us to say goodbye and as soon as one started crying we all joined in. Hosting was an amazing experience for our whole family and was so much fun. We are still in regular contact with the families and our son has since taken part in the program and was lucky enough to attend the girls’ high school and be hosted by one of their family friends. He was absolutely so lucky to have that relationship ... as well as making new ones.
SCROLL THROUGH THE PHOTOS BELOW FOR AN IDEA OF WHAT THE PROGRAM IS ABOUT !!
